At the end of March, the UK Government released an updated Economic Crime Plan with intentions and goals in the economic crime sphere for the 2023 to 2026 period, built on an investment of £400 million. The first Plan was published in 2019 and was built on a vision:
“For the public and private sectors to jointly deliver a holistic plan that defends the UK against economic crime, prevents harm to society and individuals, protects the integrity of the UK economy, and supports legitimate growth and prosperity.”
Since 2019, the UK has achieved a number of its goals from the previous periods, including an improved understanding of the country’s threat landscape, bolstered by a series of collaborative public-private threat assessments; a strengthening of law enforcement’s capacity to respond to economic crime, supported by the expansion of legislative and regulatory frameworks; and the introduction of landmark legislation, including the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act.
However, the threat of economic crime continues to persist across the nation. Fraud has grown at a record rate, with an estimated 1 in 15 adults falling victim in the UK, the scale of money laundering has proliferated as the techniques to channel dirty money have become more sophisticated, and ongoing geopolitical tensions have highlighted the need to address the illicit finance that flows through the country from kleptocratic regimes. It is these challenges that the UK Government has responded to in the newest Economic Crime Plan and underpins their commitments.
As a vibrant financial centre, the UK and its corporate structures are increasingly vulnerable to money laundering. It is estimated that £100 billion is laundered via high-end money laundering annually, an incredibly destructive activity that enables criminals to reap the benefits of the profits of their illicit activity at the expense of the general good. To crack down on the virulent trend, the most recent Economic Crime Plan aims to:
The ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine has driven the establishment of an extensive sanctions regime against targeted Russian individuals and corporations, as well as further emphasised the risk posed by kleptocrats, not just from Russia, in the UK. To address these vulnerabilities and security concerns, the most recent Plan seeks to:
Fraud has become an increasing risk to the UK, accounting for 41% of all crime experienced by adults in 2022. Given this, the government has committed an additional £100 million to tackle the continued threat of fraud in the UK by:
Though the Plan was well received, there were some criticisms of its scope and commitments. The All-Parliamentary Group on Anti-Corruption & Responsible Tax, a cross-party campaign group, suggested that the “Plan kicks many policy proposals down the road, rather than committing to introducing change through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill currently in the House of Lords.” Its Chair, Dame Margaret Hodge MP, further criticised the Plan as simply “smoke and mirrors” given the Government’s failure to pledge, what she believes to be, adequate funding for the Plan, a shortfall that will make it difficult to deliver on the expected results.
Regardless, the 2023-2026 Economic Crime Plan recognises the symbiotic roles played by the public and private sectors in tackling financial crime, which has very real harm on people, businesses, and the environment. Though the plan outlines the commitments of the government itself, it highlights the very real risks that impact the lives of everyone everyday. Therefore, it can only truly be achieved with the support of the private sector and indeed each of us, as individuals, can and must do their small bit to stop criminals from profiting from their illicit activities.
At Themis, we offer multi-faceted solutions to do just that. Our goal to democratise due diligence to the point where it becomes part of the everyday working and home lives, is a large and vital cog in the machine that is the fight against financial crime. If you would like to find out more about the financial crime landscape in the UK, which this updated Plan forms a vital part of, consult our newly released UK financial crime country risk report that provides in-depth, research-backed analysis, available here.
Stay on top of the ever-changing financial crime landscape by accessing the latest information on emerging criminal techniques and the risks associated with carrying out business with particular industries or in particular jurisdictions.
Significant updates to the Land Conversion and Financial Crime Risk Assessment highlight links between environmental harm and financial crime. Cattle rustling in Nigeria and Cameroon now carries a red risk rating. Other updates cover carbon credit fraud, child labour, corruption in mining, and gold smuggling. A new toolkit search aids detection.
An overview of modern slavery, distinguishing between human trafficking, smuggling, and forced labor. It highlights the global prevalence of exploitation and the importance of understanding these definitions to combat such crimes.
Dubai’s booming real estate market, with over $160 billion in foreign ownership, is vulnerable to financial crimes like money laundering. The UAE now requires real estate professionals to report high-value transactions over AED 55,000 through the Real Estate Activity Report (REAR). Criminals, such as Daniel Kinahan, have exploited property investments to hide illicit funds. The article urges strict compliance and awareness to enhance financial transparency and prevent abuse within the sector.
Examines how digital platforms and cryptocurrencies facilitate human trafficking, allowing traffickers to operate anonymously and at scale, posing challenges for law enforcement.
Investigates how sanctions intersect with trade-based financial crimes in Hong Kong, highlighting the complexities businesses face in navigating regulatory compliance.
Financial crimes cause more than economic damage—they deeply affect mental health. A UK survey found 60% of fraud victims experienced emotional distress, with many reporting panic attacks and weight changes. In Ghana, exposure to corruption correlated with anxiety and depression in young adults. The blog calls for greater recognition of these hidden harms and urges a more empathetic approach to tackling financial crime, emphasizing both psychological and financial well-being.
Environmental crime disproportionately impacts women, worsening existing gender inequalities. Illegal logging and mining fuel gender-based violence and trafficking, especially in regions like the DRC and Peru. Women environmental defenders face targeted abuse, while climate change increases hardships for women reliant on natural resources. Consequences include water scarcity, child marriage, and health risks from extreme heat. Tackling environmental crime is essential for protecting women’s rights, safety, and health in vulnerable communities.
AI is transforming financial crime prevention by enhancing detection, streamlining compliance, and lowering costs. The blog highlights how generative AI and tools like graph neural networks improve due diligence and empower institutions. While criminals exploit AI for fraud, its ethical use—combined with human oversight—can democratise compliance and boost resilience. Themis advocates for embracing AI’s potential to fight financial crime effectively, focusing on collaboration between technology and human expertise.
Explores the application of fuzzy logic in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) systems, emphasising its role in improving name-matching accuracy and reducing false positives, thereby enhancing compliance efficiency.
This book focusses on the challenges faced by law enforcement in North West USA and in British Columbia to combat illegal logging, as well as those of the timber-industry communities established since the late 19th century to maintain meaningful and financially viable lives.
Lebanon’s economic collapse—driven by debt, corruption, and political instability—has led to hyperinflation and a reliance on cash, increasing exposure to financial crime. In October 2024, the FATF added Lebanon to its grey list for failing to meet anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. This listing hinders foreign investment and remittances. In response, Lebanon has pledged a two-year reform plan to improve financial transparency and rebuild international confidence.
The UK treats proceeds from foreign cannabis businesses as criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act, even if earned legally abroad. Despite exceptions for overseas conduct, cannabis-related activities typically exceed the 12-month sentencing threshold, making them ineligible. This legal grey area has prompted calls for reform. Until clarified, businesses and individuals handling foreign cannabis funds in the UK should act cautiously and seek legal guidance to avoid potential money laundering risks.
The UK’s 2023–2026 Economic Crime Plan commits £400 million to tackling financial crime, focusing on reducing money laundering, combating kleptocracy, and tackling fraud. It includes reforms to Companies House, cryptoasset regulation, sanctions enforcement, and fraud prevention. While progress has been made since 2019, challenges remain. Critics argue the plan lacks funding and urgency, but success depends on collaboration across government, private sector, and individuals to stop illicit finance and protect society.
Emphasising the critical role of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in combating financial crime. It advocates for fostering a culture of transparency within organisations, encouraging employees to report suspicious activities without fear of retaliation. Highlighting that 42% of fraud cases are detected through tip-offs, the article underscores the importance of internal reporting mechanisms. It also notes a significant increase in SARs and associated account freezes in the UK, demonstrating their effectiveness in disrupting illicit financial activities.
Corrupt elites continue exploiting the UK property market, using offshore structures and relatives to hide assets. Despite the 2022 Register of Overseas Entities, over 18,000 companies failed to comply or obscured ownership. Cases involving Russian and Azerbaijani figures reveal children owning multimillion-pound properties. Themis warns of widespread misuse of family ties and urges stronger enforcement. Updated FATF guidance and UK regulations aim to close transparency gaps and tackle hidden financial crime risks.
Corruption undermines sustainable development and fuels financial crimes, while also impeding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A joint analysis by Themis and Denominator found a strong inverse correlation: countries with lower corruption levels have higher DEI scores. Corruption disproportionately harms marginalised groups, especially women. Increasing diversity in leadership helps disrupt corrupt networks, though true progress requires democratic values, transparency, and inclusion. Emphasising DEI is crucial for combating corruption and promoting fair, inclusive societies.
A report by Hindenburg Research accuses India’s Adani Group of major corporate fraud, alleging stock manipulation, shell companies, and nepotism. The claims have halved Gautam Adani’s net worth and shaken investor confidence. Adani’s political ties raise concerns over cronyism in India. The scandal underscores the impact of financial crime on markets and highlights the critical need for robust due diligence to detect risks early and preserve economic integrity and transparency.
Corporate failures in supply chain due diligence have led to financial and reputational damage, with cases like Inditex and Sketchers linked to forced labour. The EU’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will mandate large companies to address human rights and environmental risks across operations and supply chains. While promising, the directive excludes financial institutions and SMEs, limiting impact. Themis offers tools to assess supplier risk and fight crimes like modern slavery.
On World Wildlife Day and CITES’ 50th anniversary, Themis reflects on the global fight against illegal wildlife trade (IWT), the world’s fourth most lucrative financial crime. Peru’s recent legislation classifying IWT as organised crime marks major progress, but tougher ivory bans have shifted demand to hippo teeth, threatening new species. Despite setbacks, forensic science, AI, and volunteer cyber-spotters are enhancing detection and prosecution, proving that innovation and global cooperation can counter IWT effectively.
Puppy smuggling in the UK has surged post-pandemic due to soaring demand and prices, making it a target for organised crime. Criminals exploit legal loopholes, importing underage, sick, or pregnant dogs under non-commercial regulations. Despite new legislation, weak enforcement and lack of visual checks persist. Case studies reveal networks laundering money through illicit breeding. Buyers must remain vigilant, and due diligence—like using Themis Search—can help uncover breeder criminal links and protect animal welfare.
Romance scams rose by 30% in 2022, with victims losing an average of £8,234—especially impacting men and those aged 65–74. Scammers exploit dating apps and social media, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to defraud victims. Themis urges individuals to conduct due diligence in dating, just as in business. Tools like Themis Search can uncover red flags, helping users avoid fraud and enabling dating platforms to protect users more effectively.
With crypto’s volatility and under-regulation under renewed scrutiny, its dual role in social good and financial crime is clear. While over $50 million in crypto has supported Ukraine, scammers and sanctioned actors also exploit it. Russia’s use of crypto to bypass sanctions, particularly via the UAE and the Central African Republic, raises serious concerns. Themis urges enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, and compliance to mitigate crypto’s abuse in fraud, laundering, and geopolitical manipulation.
How the Russian invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated human trafficking risks, particularly for women and children. With over 2.5 million people fleeing Ukraine, traffickers exploit the chaos, offering false promises of shelter or work. Existing trafficking networks in Eastern Europe, especially in Moldova, Poland, and Italy, capitalize on the lack of coordination at border crossings. The OSCE recommends immediate measures to inform refugees about potential risks and deceptive offers.
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